The Pittsburgh Pirates are not expecting extended absences from outfielder Bryan Reynolds or third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who are both on the 10-day injured list with low back inflammation.
“We’re not going to give them extra days,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “If they need extra days for their health, then they will get them. But when they’re ready to come back, they’ll come back.”
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Reynolds (low back inflammation) took batting practice on the field before Thursday’s game against the San Diego Padres and is “making progress.”
“We’re optimistic in the coming days he’ll be an option for Derek in the lineup,” Tomczyk said of Reynolds, who is eligible to come off the IL on Friday.
Shelton said Hayes was dealing with back stiffness on their six-game road trip. When his back didn’t respond to two days off or treatments, Hayes was placed on the injured list Wednesday.
Hayes also was bothered by back tightness last season, when he spent a stint on the IL, but Tomczyk said the Pirates have altered their treatment plan and expect Hayes to miss a minimum amount of time.
“It’s the same,” Tomczyk said. “Fortunately, I think for Ke’, we have a better strategy for him to limit the inability or unable days. But, it is very similar.”
Tomczyk said right-handed reliever Colin Holderman (right wrist) threw a live bullpen simulated game at PNC Park and came out of it “quite well.”
Holderman told the Tribune-Review he had a cyst on his wrist but should be ready to return when eligible Friday.
First baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (left Achilles tendon strain) has shown no issues during his rehabilitation assignment, which was transferred from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis and will “continue to build up game tolerance,” Tomczyk said.
Tomczyk said lefty reliever Rob Zastryzny (left forearm) had “no issues” after pitching one inning in a rehabilitation assignment for Triple-A on Wednesday night. Lefty reliever Jose Hernandez is scheduled to throw a live batting practice Saturday.
Shortstop Oneil Cruz (fractured left ankle) is playing catch up to 75 feet, but Tomczyk said Cruz “sneaks back to 90 at times.”
“That’s a good sign,” Tomczyk said. “It’s gaining confidence. He’s gaining strength. He’s getting range of motion. So, all in all, good progress with Oneil.”
Tomczyk said the Pirates are “optimistic” about Cruz’s progress because the inflammation is improving and his range is getting better, but he remains on a four-month projection to return from his April 9 injury. Whether that timeline has Cruz on a rehabilitation assignment at an affiliate or with the Pirates is to be determined.
“That is a work in progress,” Tomczyk said. “We’re going to see how he responds to the work and baseball activities. The goal is to get him back this year, but the big-time goal, as we’ve talked about with many, many players, is to have Oneil Cruz be Oneil Cruz for the Pittsburgh Pirates for a long, long time.
“It’s a moving target,” Tomczyk added. “It’s a possibility … but we still have a lot of things to check off for Oneil to show himself that he can do it at the elite level that he was prior to the injury.”
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